Burial casket



A. C. LAMB BURIAL CASKET Aug. 15, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 11, 1946 FIG. 3

' INVENTOR ANSON C. LAMB ATTORNEYS Aug. 15, 1950 A. c. W5 7' 2,518,558

BURIAL CASKET Filed Sept. 11, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v 4"2 I 2 45 4o 44 4o 5 45 2| FIG-6 FIG-I2 INVENTOR ANSON C. LAMB BY ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 15, 1950 UNITED S'I ATES PATENT OFFICE BURIAL CASKET Anson 0. Lamb, Cleveland, Ohio Application September 11, 1946, Serial No. 696,094

4 Claims. r .1

The invention relates to improvements in burial caskets.

As will be apparent from the obiects hereinafter enumerated, the general purpose underlying my invention is to avoid, insofar as is reasonably possible, the usual background associated with the presence of death, and to retain, with appropriate dignity, the normal atmosphere of the household. With this general end in view the novel and'improved casket now to be described, comprises an-assembly of cooperating parts such that itcan be arranged to resemble a common article of household furniture. i

A further object ofthe invention is to provide a novel and improved burial casket which, when opened and suitably arranged, closely simulates the appearance of a conventional davenport or couch.

A further object of the invention is to provide a casket of the nature indicated in which the cover, the arms, and the bed construction are so disposable, individually and with relation to each other, that they cooperate to produce the appearance of a davenport, as above mentioned.

A further objectof the invention is to provide a cover construction rearwardly slidable and tiltable to simulate the appearance of a davenport back, the. cover being readily completely removable, if desired, by reasonof the novel and improved separable complementary parts of the hinge means.

A further object of the invention is to provide at the opposed ends of the casket, a pair of respectively opposed hinged arms, normally housed and concealed in a compartment in the cover, but manually swingable outwardly to a position of rest on top of the casket end walls,

when the cover is in open position, to further increase the general resemblance to a couch or davenport;

A further object of the invention is to provide improved b'ed means for supporting a body, such means being normally collapsed on the casket bottom, when the casket is shut, but being easily and rapidly erectable to the plane of the top edges of the casket walls, when the casket is open, byreason of the novel supporting structure and lifting leverage therefor. In the erected position the bed simulates the seat portion of a conventional davenport. A further object-of the invention is to provide novel-and improved means whereby the casket handles are withdrawn into wall recesses 2 when not in use, leaving a substantially flat and uninterrupted wall surface as noted by ordinary superficial examination.

Other objects and advantages will be appar ent from a study of the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a closed casket construction in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view showing the cover moved rearwardly to an intermediate position;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the cover tilted vertically so as to constitute a rear wall, parts being broken away to reveal internal structure;

Fig. 4, is a fragmentary perspective view, somewhat enlarged, showing the detachable cover attaching means, the cover being separated from the body portion;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, still further enlarged, taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view as seen from the right of Fig. 3, but with the inner lid in the cover raised to reveal the cover compartment and the end arms contained therein; a

Fig. 7 is a perspective view with the cover in the position of Figs. 3 and 6, but with the arms swung outwardly, the inner lid closed, and the bed raised; l

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view taken from the same position as Fig. 6, but with the front wall removed to reveal the 'bed in lowered position;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but showing the bed in erected position; i i Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the bed an supporting mechanism removed from. the casket to more clearly show the construction of the various movable elements;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary front elevational view, showing the casket handle in inactive position;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line l2-l2 of Fig. 11.

Before the present invention here illustrated is described in detail, it is to be understood that the invention here involved is not limited to the details of construction or the specific arrangement of parts herein illustrated or described, as the invention obviously may take various forms. It also is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein employed is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, the scope of the present invention being defined in the appended claims.

The improved casket to be herein described comprises a combination of cooperating structural features, each of which is in itself novel, as far as is known to me. lhe casket willnow be described in detail, special attention being directed to the several novel features in turn.

The sliding and tilting cover is best shown in Figs. 1,"to 5,"inclusive. The "appearance of the closed casket'is fairly conventional, there being a body 20 and a cover 2!. As will appear, however, the handles, when not in use, are withdrawable into recesses in the casket walls since'b'r'ie'of the characteristics of preexisting l caskets has been the prominent appearance of v The cover 20 is slidable rearwardly onthe casket body to the intermediate position shown in Fig. 2. At such point it is swingable to the vertical'po'sition shown in Fig. 3. -'It may at times be desir- "'able' to"'re-l*n'ove the lidy e'isiiidiatd in Fig; 4.

the handles.

4 described above may be performed in reverse order.

One advantage of the combined sliding and tilting movement of the cover will now be apparent. In the transition from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that of Fig. 3 the rear overhang of the cover is brought to a lapped contact with the rear casket wall, and since the center of gravity is rearwardly of the pivot 32, the cover fpo'sition 'is stable, unless niariuafllyjnioved again to "the "position tr Fig. izfpreiiafatory to closing. The casket is provided with a pair of arms fell at opposed ends thereof, the said arms when not in use being disposed within the cover. Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the portion of the cover which vertically extends above the casket is provided witha recess'ydl closed by, and concealed beneath, a movable panel or lid 42 which is here hin'ged ahng its upper edge. The lid is'main- "ne'arwafdfsliding*move i'ent'of the'cover'rrom the position of Fig l to t'ofFig. Zis guided -a's'"'follovfs, it being understood" that the structure howto"be'described with respect to one" end "of the easlietis du licated atthe other ens, sd'th'at enu waii' 2"5atits'topfandwhich has an' outturned flange 28 overlying but stopping sh ortbfth'e rearward end of slot 26. Suchstoppage' afio'r'ds a "suflicier'lt clearance space? 9 so that flange" 24 may beinsert'ed inprremo'ved from slotZGby swinging movement of the'cover. "ltwill be'appar'ent th'atwhile fiangeZQ lies in 'sl'ot'26 underlying flange 28, the cover"22may bemoved forwardly "or 'i'earwardly in sliding fashion, but cannot be tilted singularly-(ai lifted vertically.

Fromthe position ofFig-Z the' casket lidmay be tilted to the posltion ofFigp3, since asabove 'i'ndi'c'ated, the"'bra'cket 24in such *posit'ioncan *swingupw'ardly out of clearance spaceZB. Tilting inovement"isg'uided and effected Joy-cooperation of the following elements. At the rearward endof'th'e slotisa transversely extending-"pivot pin"32 fixed in the opposed slot walls. Fixed t'o Ftheend wall 22 "of the cover; and depending therefrom, is a downwardly and rearwardly: inclined finger"33 which'is adapted to' move within slot 2B and rearwardly to 'a position beneath pin :32 :"When the'c'o've'r is-moved to;the-position of Fig. 2. T'Siinultaneously the flange 2 has moved beneath the 'clearancespace ZQ-"at-thetop of slot-zfi. In this position, therefor eythe covermay be tilted on'the pivot 32 until it assumes a vertical position; a substantial portion ofthe cgver e gtendi ng abpve the level of the rear wall 35 of the casket body. 'In such vertical positionfapr'ong 36 carried by the cover, enters a recess "Win the go or end italics; thereby i-everiungia rt'i'c'al displac merit or; the cover "which ifthecovel falling behindtthe cas- "desir d n mr elrfr fi ve jib may betilted forward at the t'op,- 'fr'o'in i on of Fig 3toward that ofFigf l; until the prongifi "clearsfrom the recess '33. The "cover (Ban lfllg len"be lifte dto remove it completely irom v the 'bbd'y. I'n replacing 'the' eovergthefoperati'ons suitable "means, cooperatin "frictional *d'tent members 43, 44 being here shown. "*Each 'arm "is carried by and swingabla'onarespeetlve strap "4 5' 'whic is "hinged 'a't4'6'bn the 'respectivel'y ad- 5 -"j'acent innerentl 'w'all of the recess The length and position of "the straps -"areso proportibned and -arrar'iged "that "'"Wheh the lid is opened, "and "the "arm "is swun outwardlwto "arrive "-at'the positionrsliciwrr'in'Fi'g. 'Uthe face bf eaclrstrap comes 3 'to a stop'egainstadjacenVwall 4T," andthet arms at such t'irriware in -"vertical" planar *r'egi-stration fwitnth'e respective end Walls 25" 0f the c'asket. "'WhenEo disposd'the arms"fully-conceal certain elements heretofore described such as thcoopcrating bracket "members, the --'p'ivot -fi'nger "and pivot pineleme'nts; and "also the slotted'recess. *As'tshown'ini igr'l wl'l'en the lid-is closed=theback and arm's readily" simulate corresponding members on an article of furnitufe of setteey-daven- 'port "or daybd'type. 'The='strap'eon'striictlon 45 prrn'its closure of li'd'=42"-even' 'yvhen-thearms are "in' their'botwardly extended positidn.

- It ishiy intention that "'v' hen the de'case'd personnets peempreparedby-tiie undertaker for general-"view, the?impressioncfeatedshouldbe similar to that produced by viewing somone*"asleep on a touch. To further "this the the remains "should lie- 'nbrneartlfe pl'afiebfthe top edges 'of the-casketside Walls. For-this uipose r pro- *vide"a' V 'anel pfeferablyof*somateittilamater1 supported "on afr'arfia said bedpanelbeihg normall lowe're'dto -'-rest 6n 'the 'casket bbttom Whenthe casket is closedfbut b *"provi'ded'yvith novel "means forraising it toa-tlis lay-level "whenever "desired. The bed panel and su porting "iiieanswvin new" beceseribed. V

"is shown a longitudinal "and lateral "extent "sufiic'ient "to "occupysupstantiair -"the-complete length "and Width or the clearance space vvithinthe casket. *A' textile panel 5| of canvas or similar-"material is "stretched across "the frame; and preferabIy se- -'cured" ben'eatn it. Such 'p'anelcould be of a' color and'teXture-adapted'FtUmatchthe appearance'of the rear waihanblerms'of "thec'asket'asviewed in Fig 7; although aloose co've'rlet'or other-drape ay-be superimposed" thereon- 'ifi'de'sii'ed. The opposed-ends of the bedt panel "are sup- ='p'orta'ble byapo'llapsibleleg construction which is identicalat 'each-end-'of the bed so that one end only need bedcscribed. At each front-corner at" thehe'ad and'foot of the panel 'is-a' "b'ell crank lever-53 comprising ah operating" arm 54 anda leg 55. "L'Ihe --arm "and leg "are' "fixedin "ang'ula'r relationship to each other, being either formed integrally, or from separate pieces welded or otherwise united as desired. The bell crank arrangement thus formed is pivoted to the frame 50 at 56, namely the point of angular divergence of the arm and leg. The arm 54 is provided with an inwardly directed tab 54a which limits downward arm swing at the position shown in Fig. 10. A rear leg 55a is pivoted at the head and foot ends of the rear panel edge. The pair of opposed legs 55 and 55a at each end of the bed panel are connected by a transverse foot or bar 51 so that they are movable as a unit. The bar 51 limits upward and inward swing of the legs by coming into contact with the lower face of the bed panel in the collapsed position shown in Fig. 8. A tie link 58 is pivoted to the casket rear wall, and to the adjacent side edge of the panel frame, and acts as a control and guide in the operation now to be described.

Assume now that the bed panel is in the position shown in Fig. 8, namely collapsed on the casket inner bottom wall. To raise the bed to the position shown in Fig. 9 manual pressure may be applied to the arm 54 at the point 59, the pressure being directed in the direction of arrow A. A moderate lifting effort may be simultaneously exerted by inserting the fingers of the other hand beneath the panel in the neighborhood of the recess 60 in the panel end. Arms 54 and legs 55 swing as a unit in a circle until the bed end assumes the position shown in Fig. 9 or 10, at which time the tab 51 rests on top of frame 50, and the bar 54a, in the embodiment shown, abuts the lower end of the casket end wall 25. In this position, the bed panel lies in or just below the plane of the upper edge of the casket side walls, and in such position it is perfectly stable. The bed can be again collapsed by first raising the bed end slightly, until the bell crank lever formed by the arm and leg can be easily swung from the position of Fig. 9 to the position of Fig. 8. The function of link 58 is to act as a radius vector around the fixed pivot 6 l thereby exercising a guiding and restraining effect to prevent substantial misalignment of the various cooperating movable parts.

Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate the disappearing handle structure. At a suitable location for each handle the casket wall is provided with a U-shaped recess 64 opening outwardly, for the reception of a handle 55 carried by a pair of side straps 66. The straps are pivoted on pins 61 which bridge the respective legs 68 of the recess. As viewed from the exterior the recess is substantially completely closed when the handle is swung downwardly and inwardly to inactive position, since exposed outer surface portions of the handles and straps may be covered with the same material, or finished in the same manner as the balance of the outer casket walls. For convenient insertion of the pins 61 in their operating position, the inner casket wall may be provided with suitable recesses 10, opening inwardly, and the pins may then be inserted as shown in Fig. 11. For convenience in pulling the handles outwardly from the inactive position to the active position, the bottom edge of the U-shaped depression 54 may be cut away, at H, for the insertion of a finger tip to initiate handle movement.

It is of course obvious that the casket will present the appearance shown in Fig. '7 only when on display in the home, the specific appearance of the bed panel being concealed by a suitable drape over or under the body of the deceased. The bed panel is lowered and the arms are retracted into their housing recess in the cover when the casket is being closed for transportation or interment.

What I claim is:

l. A burial casket comprising a casket body and a cover therefor, said body havinga bottom wall, front and rear walls, and opposed end walls, each said end wall being provided with an upwardly opening channel extending rearwardl along the top edge thereof, said cover being provided with pair of fingers, one depending from each end thereof and alignable with, and insertable in, each. said channel, pivot means fixed in the rear end of each said channel, said cover being slidable rearwardly on saidbody until said fingers engage respective pivot means, said cover being thereupon pivotally tiltable to a vertical position partl above and partly below the plane of the top edge of said body walls, and a pair of arms swingably attached to said cover and swingablc to a position overlying respective end walls after the cover has been tilted as aforesaid.

2. A burial casket comprising a casket body and a cover therefor, said body having bottom wall, front and rear walls, and opposed end walls, each said end wall being provided with an upwardly opening channel extending rearwardly along the top edge thereof, said cover being provided with a pair of fingers, one depending; from each end thereof and alignable with, and insertable in, each said channel, pivot means fixed in the rear end of each said channel, said cover being slidable rearwardly on said body until said fingers engage respective pivot means, said cover being thereupon pivotall tiltable to a vertical position partly above and partly below the plane of the top edge of said body walls, said cover having an inwardly opening recess therein, a pair of and arms hingedly attached at respective ends of said recess, said arms being outwardly swingable to rest on adjacent end walls of th casket body when the cover has been tilted to the ver tical position as aforesaid, and closure means for closing said recess to conceal the same, said closure means being movable to permit moverrent of said arms into and out of said recess.

3. A burial casket comprising a casket body, and a cover therefor, said body having a bottom wall, opposed front and rear walls, and opposed end walls, each said end wall being provided with an upwardly opening channel extending rearwardly along the top edge thereof, an elongated member attached to each end wall adjacent its respective channel and having aflange horizontally overlying a front portion, but not all, of said chan nel, a bracket depending from each end of said cover and having a guide portion registrable with and insertable in a respective channel, and slidable therein from a position out of vertical alignment with said flange to a position in vertical alignment and sliding interlock with and beneath said flange, said interlock permitting only rearward and forward sliding motion of said cover until said guide portion clears from beneath said flange, said cover and said body carrying mutually cooperating pivot elements engageable only when rearward sliding movement of said cover on said body causes clearance of said guide portion from beneath said flange, thereby permitting tilting movement of said cover to a vertical position adjacent said rear wall of said body.

4. A burial casket comprising a casket body, and a cover therefor, said body having a bottom "ra se 8:558

an upwardiy oiaehirig channel extending re'arwifiardl-y' a-long t'he top I'e'dge :th'ereof anelongated member attached to-'* each-.end wall-adjacent its respective channel and having a flange horizontaliyoveriying a front-portionbut not all, of said channel, a bracket depending from each end of said cover and. having-aguide'portion registrable with and"insertable"in arespective channel, and '10 and out 'fsaid recess.

slidable therein from a position" out of vertical alignment-With-saidfiange to aposition in vertical alignment "and-sliding interloc k with and beneath said flange, *s'aid i'nterlock permitting ing mutually cooperating pivot elements engage- -abie-only 'when rearward sliding movement of permitting tilting rnovementof said cover to a verticaleposition adjacent said rear wall of'said said cover on said bodyeausesclearance of said 20 7 guide portion from beneath said flange, thereby body, said i'eover :having an inwardly "opening recess *therein, a pair 'of end' 'ai ms "hingedly attachedatres'pective endso'f said recessfsaid' arms being "oiitwaidly sivingable to rest on *adjacent "end waiis of the basket body ''when the cover has i "been tilted' :'to': a v''rticali positien as aforesaid, andclosure F me'ans -fdr closing said recess to coneeal "the "same, said 1 closure m'eans F being "movable to r permi t 'movement 'of: saidarms into --REEERENGES err-ED The following references-ar of record in the 'only rearward' andforvvard'sliding motion of said 1 5 'ifile 'f this patent: cover until said "guide: -p0rtion' c1ears from beneath-said fiange,said cover and said body carry- UNITED STATES'PATENTS 

